Margaret is a first-year Ph.D. student. Before beginning her doctoral studies, Margaret worked at Westat, a contract research organization, where she managed a CDC-funded project that worked to estimate the effectiveness of COVID-19, influenza, and RSV vaccines in the US. She also has research and applied public health experience addressing dengue in the Philippines and HIV/AIDS in Botswana. Her research interests include improving preparedness for and responses to future pandemics – with a focus on community engagement. She holds a Master of Science in Control of Infectious Diseases from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and a Bachelor of Science in Global Health from Georgetown University.

Chris is a first-year epidemiology PhD student whose research interests include emerging infectious disease modeling, pandemic preparedness, serology and transmission, genomic epidemiology, and pharmacoepidemiology. Prior to his doctoral studies, Chris worked as an IRTA Research Fellow at NIAID/NIH and as a Research Intern at the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative. His research has integrated epidemiologic, genomic, immunologic, and geospatial approaches to examine prevalence, risk factors, and viability of vaccines and other interventions associated with emerging infectious diseases and chronic diseases, such as COVID-19, filoviruses, nontuberculous mycobacteria, and cancer. Chris holds an MPH in Epidemiology/Biostatistics and a BS in Biology, both from Tufts University.

Mira Guth is an PhD-MPH student in anthropology and public health at Brown University. Her research focuses on emerging intersections between human, animal, and environmental health, as well as how scientists and policymakers are responding to health threats that cross species borders. She is interested in how livestock veterinarians, farmers, and other actors navigate the interface of animal agriculture and public health, exploring themes of multispecies care, expertise, and health governance on a changing planet.

Experience working with the Pandemic Center, in their own words:

Kris is a senior studying Biochemistry and Science, Technology, and Society. Outside of the Pandemic Center, Kris is also involved in the Surveillance of Infectious Disease Lab with Dr. Katie Siddle. Previously, he received a UTRA to support the Biosecurity Game Changers Initiative in summer 2024. 

Aaron Johnson is a second-year MPH student in the School of Public Health. He earned dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Biology and Mathematics from Howard University. His research interests center on Maternal and Child Health, with a particular focus on Adolescent and Young Adult Health. Aaron is deeply committed to advancing community health, health security, and health equity for marginalized and disenfranchised populations. His passion for public health is grounded in experiences through internships at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Kennedy Krieger Institute, as well as collaborations with the Delta Research and Education Foundation and the NIH All of Us Research Program.

Porter is a sophomore at Brown University studying Public Health and Economics. He is interested in the intersections of health, the environment, and economic well-being. Outside of the Pandemic Center, he works as a mental health policy analyst at the student-run Brown Initiative for Policy. In addition to his academic interests, he also enjoys volunteering in Providence high schools and is a member of the Brown Figure Skating Team. 

Clara is a Junior studying Public Health and Literary Arts. She is interested in health communication and storytelling. Outside of the Pandemic Center, Clara produces public health media with the Brown Political Review, volunteers with Providence mental health organizations, and oversees social media creative direction for a local climate-centered art studio. 

Mathieu is a senior studying Economics (Public Policy track) and is concurrently pursuing a UG/MPH in Applied Epidemiology. He is interested in pandemic preparedness, health policy, and infectious disease epidemiology. Outside of the Pandemic Center, Mathieu volunteers with refugee organizations in Providence to expand healthcare access and serves as a teaching assistant in global health.